Who AM I

Melanie (she/her) is a Brazilian-born filmmaker, editor, and storyteller with a passion for amplifying underrepresented voices. Raised in Philadelphia and shaped by 12 years in Mexico City, Melanie’s multicultural background fuels her creative vision and ability to see stories from unique perspectives.

Her career began at MTV Latin America, where she honed her editing skills as the special programs editor, working on iconic shows like MTV Unplugged and the MTV Millennial Awards. She calls this period her “master’s degree in editing.” Over the years, Melanie has freelanced with production companies, animation studios, and nonprofits, creating content for brands like Coca-Cola, Bacardi, and Sony Music—ranging from TV spots and web series to documentaries and promotional campaigns.

In 2017, Melanie returned to Philadelphia as Creative Director for a production company, where she directed and edited award-winning projects, including a Gold Addy-winning campaign for the University of the Arts and a documentary-style web series for AOL/Verizon Media. It was here that her love for telling human stories truly blossomed.

Driven by a mission to celebrate diverse voices, Melanie co-founded Afresh Collective, a production company dedicated to authentic storytelling and bringing underrepresented talent to the forefront. Currently, she’s in production on her debut personal documentary, Dear Sofia.

With a life lived across three countries and three cultures, Melanie brings a global perspective to her work, constantly pushing creative boundaries and experimenting with new ways to tell stories that matter.